IT WAS RENAULT WHICH CHEEKILY
TOLD US THAT SIZE matters and it
has helped make its Clio supermini
such a popular choice and big seller.
So it's also rather interesting that
while the French car-maker has
made the Clio an increasingly
roomy little car, it is also a key
player in making engines that are
smaller, more economical and
cleaner but just as powerful as the
bigger ones they replace.
But first we come to the new-look
Clio. Renault has always been good
at keeping this smooth supermini
bang up to date with stylish lines
and cute curves and its latest look
brings out its modern, youthful feel.
The facelift takes its cues from the
latest Megane with new headlamps,
front bumper and wide black air
intake giving it a more purposeful
look while at the back there is are
new light clusters and bumper.
So, yes, it looks appealing but
another of the Clio's big strengths
has always been how good it is to
drive with a sporty edge regardless
of which engine you go for.
One of the secrets of its success is
a wide range of petrol and diesel
engines but with the Clio size no
longer matters for Renault is going
for smaller turbo petrol engines
with the power and performance of
bigger units but without sacrificing
low emissions and fuel economy �
so important to today's buyers.
While the new Scenic and Grand
Scenic multi-purpose vehicles get
the new turbo charged 1.4-litre
petrol engine, the Clio has been
given a big boost with the 1.2 TCe
(Turbo Control efficiency). Starting
point is the normal 1.2-litre engine
but add a turbo and at 100hp it has
the peak output of the 1.4 unit it
replaced and the torque of a 1.6, but
developed lower down the rev
range, yet it is more economical and
has slightly lower emissions than
the non-turbo 1.2.
All very impressive on paper but
it actually lives up to the promise.
This cracking little engine picks up
crisply with strong mid-range pull �
although it can feel a little flat at
low revs with a load on board until
the turbo comes on song � and
whips along when you wind it up
with enough zip for easy, safe
overtaking. It cruises happily at
motorway speeds but with only a
five-speed gearbox � and a rather
notchy shifting one at that � the
revvy engine can get buzzy. Real-
word mixed driving saw 42mpg.
The Clio has always been
impressive to drive and it's still one
of the most fun cars in this class
with sharp, responsive steering,
surefooted handling and good body
control through corners. The
downside is the ride can get fidgety
and restless on bumpy roads with
the Clio becoming bouncy but it's
an acceptable trade-off if you're
looking for an entertaining drive.
Inside is where size does matter
for the Clio is one of the more
spacious superminis, able to take
four adults with decent leg and
headroom in the back and front
seats that tilt and slide forward
mean you don't need to be double-
jointed to get in and out of the back
of three-door models.
It hasn't been at the expense of
load space � the well-shaped 288-
litre boot is big enough to take a
couple of large suitcases but it has a
high sill. The rear seat splits 60/40
but the cushions have to be tilted
upright before the backs fold down
and even then there is a big step up
from the boot floor.
Dynamique models and above get
a soft-touch dashboard but plastic
trim lower down the interior is hard
and not so appealing. The fascia is
uncluttered with simple dials and
logical switchgear although the
small buttons on the radio/CD are
fiddly. All models get tilt steering
but you have to go for higher-spec
models or optional keyless ignition
to get reach adjustment.
With a five-star crash-testing
rating Renault is known for it safety
and the big-selling Dynamique
model gets six airbags � eight on
three-door models � and anti-lock
brakes. Equipment highlights
include 16in alloy wheels, air-
conditioning, automatic headlamps
and wipers, electric front windows
and heated door mirrors.
The Clio has always had a fun,
youthful feel and if you are looking
for a spacious supermini it's got to
be on your shortlist.
Eastern Daily Press, Saturday, November 21, 2009 3Looking for your next car? find it at edp24.co.uk
Carry on having fun, Clio
TEST DRIVE: RENAULT CLIO 1.2 TCe 100 DYNAMIQUE
Former Clio
owner ANDY
RUSSELL
discovers the
supermini is
still great to drive.
Fuel helps cut
motoring costs
Special offers and
deals on Mazdas
Astra wins gold
NUTS & BOLTS
The cost of motoring for Britain's 30
million drivers has fallen 5pc (�123)
in 2009 to �2,219, according to
RAC's annual Cost of Motoring
(CoM) Index. Despite this small
reduction, an RAC poll revealed that
77pc of cash-strapped local
motorists still believe the cost of
running their car has risen.
And in response almost half of
those surveyed have been making
significant changes to their motoring
lifestyle over the last year, such as
reducing car ownership � a fifth
have returned to running just one
car � while 34pc of motorists stated
that they're using their car less.
The drop in the cost of motoring has
been driven primarily by the price of
fuel. While the price of petrol and
diesel has fluctuated over the last
12 months, costs have fallen overall
by 10pc to �1,184 per year. Diesel
in particular has become much
cheaper, with prices falling 14pc.
The CoM Index focuses on the day-
to-day running costs that have a
tangible impact on motorists'
pockets. This includes road tax, fuel,
insurance, maintenance and
breakdown cover. For the first time
the 2009 Index also calculates the
annual running costs for used cars,
which is �2,744 � 24pc (�525)
higher than for new vehicles.
RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink
said: "It's been a tough year for
motorists, and while it's good news
that the costs of running a car have
slightly dropped in the past 12
months, it probably won't feel like it
at a time when the family budget is
being squeezed from all sides. So
despite the drop, the overriding
desire for drivers is to cut back
where they can.
"We're seeing motorists really
question how they use their cars.
The trend towards the one-car
family shows how people are
prepared to make fundemental
lifestyle changes for the benefit of
themselves, their families and their
pockets. But such change for a lot
of drivers is still merely an
aspiration, with practical difficulties
caused by work and family needs or
a lack of alternatives, such as
inadequate public transport,
stopping them in their tyre tracks."
The Vauxhall/Opel Astra has won its
first major trophy taking the Golden
Steering Wheel in the compact class
� the most prestigious award issued
by Auto Bild magazines group. This
year's election involved readers in
26 European countries, representing
more than 40 million readers.
PRICE: Three-door �12,370; five-
door �12,970
ENGINE: 1,149cc, 100hp, four-
cylinder turbo charged petrol
PERFORMANCE: 0-62mph 11
seconds; 114mph
MPG: Urban 38.2; extra urban 58.8;
combined 48.7
EMISSIONS: 137g/km
BENEFIT-IN-KIND TAX RATE: 15pc
INSURANCE GROUP: 4E
WARRANTY: Three years/60,000
miles
WILL IT FIT IN THE GARAGE:
Length 4,027mm; width (including
mirrors) 2,025mm; height 1,493mm
FACTFILE
POPULAR CHOICE: Renault has always been good at keeping its Clio supermini bang up to date � both the way it looks and drives.
As well as savings of up to �550
across the Mazda range before the
government's VAT increase on
January 1, Mazda has some special
offers and finance packages until
the end of the year. Until December
31, all models in the Mazda2,
Mazda3 (except MPS), Mazda5,
Mazda6 and MX-5 ranges are
available with 0pc APR and 3.9pc
APR finance with variable deposits.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of
the MX-5 sports car there are �750
savings across this range. On
Mazda5 there are savings of �1,500
on TS and TS2 and �2,000 on
Sport, and �1,000 on Mazda6
models.

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